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Just replaced light fixture, now switch won't turn it off. 3 wires each side

So, without tearing up the walls, what is a good way to know which wires to connect to the new fixture? There are now 3 black wires and 3 white wires sticking out of the hole in the ceiling. (plus ground)

Just replaced light fixture, now switch won't turn it off. 3 wires each side

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregp1962

So, without tearing up the walls, what is a good way to know which wires to connect to the new fixture? There are now 3 black wires and 3 white wires sticking out of the hole in the ceiling. (plus ground)

Do you a way to check for voltage? If so, please check that voltage is present at the fixture.

Just replaced light fixture, now switch won't turn it off. 3 wires each side

The confusion is the there are 3 cables coming in to the fixture box on the ceiling. Therefore there are 3 black and 3 white wires in addition to the ground. With all those wires disconnected, the light in the bathroom next to this room doesn't work. (The fixture I'm working on is the laundry room)

Just replaced light fixture, now switch won't turn it off. 3 wires each side

I assume that the power out goes to the bathroom next door. If that's the case, I need to connect that to the power in. Then connect the switched line to the white power in as in Hammerlane's diagram A

Just replaced light fixture, now switch won't turn it off. 3 wires each side

Just replaced light fixture, now switch won't turn it off. 3 wires each side

Thanks guys. It all seems obvious now that you explained it and I had a chance to mull it over in my mind. I'm at work now so I won't be able to work on it for about 8 hours from now. I'll let you know how it goes.

Just replaced light fixture, now switch won't turn it off. 3 wires each side

If it isn't already there you should wrap black tape around the white wire (as in Hammerlane's diagram) that goes to the switch when you figure it out. It will help identify the switch loop if you (or anyone else) touches the fixture/jbox later.

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Last edited by Rich; 04-16-2013 at 06:21 PM.
Reason: credit given to wrong previous poster